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BRISBANE will become the centre of the rugby world for one week a year, with a four-year deal for Suncorp Stadium to host a new Global 10s tournament to be announced within days.
New Zealand-based Duco Events, pioneers of rugby league’s highly successful Auckland Nines, are in the final stages of talks with state and local governments to host the tournament in February at Suncorp Stadium from next year until at least 2020.
With an announcement imminent, Duco have even taken up office space in Brisbane to begin operations for the event, which will feature $1.6 million in prizemoney.
The tournament will see Brisbane host the code’s biggest names and franchises, with all of Australia and New Zealand’s Super Rugby teams locked in to compete in the 10-a-side tournament, alongside South Africa’s Blue Bulls and the Samoan national team.
The Sunday Mail can also reveal French glamour club Toulon have committed in principle to the event, as have Japanese giants Panasonic — who are coached by former Wallabies boss Robbie Deans, and will have David Pocock on their playing roster next year.
Like with the Auckland Nines, there will be no risk of teams fielding under-strength or second-string squads, with all participating teams agreeing to field their five top-earning players in the tournament to guarantee stars like Israel Folau and Sonny Bill Williams will be in Brisbane.
With the exception of Toulon, all squads have also committed to bringing 32-man squads to Brisbane for a full week of pre-season training at iconic Ballymore, with the event to act as the launching pad for the new Super Rugby season.
This will in turn drive the week along as a rugby festival for the city, with teams to make the most of the opportunity by scheduling 15-a-side mid-week trial matches leading up to the 10s.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...s/news-story/eded3d61c27d31ede4f5bcd865420ffd
